Guests FAQs

Guest Information FAQs

The Venue

How do I get to the venue?

From the A27 at Chichester, come off at Stockbridge roundabout and take the A285 towards the Witterings. Follow the A286 until you see the Chichester Marina, then turn left towards Donnington into Wophams Lane. At the end of Wophams Lane turn right into Southend Farm. Follow signs for Southend Barns. If using Sat Nav please be aware that the post code above will not take you as far as Southend Barns, you will need to carry on another half a mile before you reach us. (see a map here)

Where should I park? Will I have to pay for parking?

Parking is available on-site and is free. We have a capacity of approx. 80 cars with several disabled parking spaces. Please always share were possible. Anyone leaving cars overnight should park against the far hedge and will need to collect them by 10am the next morning.

Train station

The nearest train station is Chichester, which is a short 10-minute taxi ride to the venue depending on traffic in the town centre. The train from London takes approx. 1 hour 40 minutes.

Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas around the venue are accessible for wheelchair users. If you need any help, please ask a member of our team for assistance. We also have allocated disabled parking spaces in the car park.

Local Attractions

We are lucky to be based in the beautiful Sussex countryside near the historical city of Chichester and only a few miles from the South Coast. Chichester boasts many attractions including Goodwood Estate, Chichester Festival Theatre, Chichester Harbour and West Wittering beach. There is always something going on in the area with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and events, such as Goodwood Festival of Speed, Glorious Goodwood and Goodwood Revival. The South Downs National Park is also not too far away for a long country walk.

Smoking

Smoking is only allowed in the outside areas of the venue and we ask that guests use the ashtrays provided.

The wedding

What time should I arrive?

Please arrive promptly for the start of the wedding. We advise you aim to get here at least 20 minutes before the ceremony in case of bad traffic.

What should I wear? Is there a dress code? What kind of shoes should/shouldn’t I wear?

The dress code may depend on the wedding couple and their theme and the British weather! However, guests are usually just expected to dress smartly for a wedding. The car park is gravel and there are some grass areas so be careful if wearing stilettos.

Are children welcome?

This depends on the wedding couple, otherwise yes! The venue is safe for children and we can recommend on-site babysitting services if required.

Are dogs allowed?

As long as the couple are happy, we do welcome well-behaved dogs.

Can I take pictures?

Yes, please do and share with us on social media. We love to see photos of our venue and weddings.

Can I bring confetti?

We ask that you bring real flower confetti, such as dried rose petals, which are in keeping with our eco-friendly ethos.

What time will the reception end?

Our venue is licenced until 11.30pm and we ask that all guests be off site by midnight. Please leave quietly out of respect for the local community.

Accommodation

I am coming from out of town. Where should I stay?

We have a small pub close by called The Blacksmiths with three en-suite bedrooms. Other local hotels and bed and breakfasts are listed here

Food and Drinks

What if I have a dietary restriction?

Please inform the wedding party or the office as soon as possible and we will do our best with the in-house catering team to provide for your needs.

Do you accept credit card?

We do not have facilities here to accept credit card payments.

How much do drinks cost?

You will find that the drinks we serve at Southend Barns are very similar to standard pub prices.